Tyrann Mathieu woke up an LSU Tiger this morning. He may go to sleep tonight a McNeese Cowboy.

Josh Jasper, a former teammate of Mathieu's at LSU, tweeted Friday that the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year will be transferring to McNeese, an FCS school located in Lake Charles, Louisiana -- just a couple hours drive west of LSU's campus in Baton Rouge and Mathieu's hometown of New Orleans.

Attempts to confirm Mathieu's (TM7_Era) transfer to McNeese were not immediately returned by the university or sources close to Mathieu, himself. It remains to be seen how reliable Jasper, who graduated from LSU in 2011 and was unable to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster as as undrafted free agent kicker last year, will prove to be as a reporter.

If his tweet is correct, the move would make sense for both McNeese and Mathieu, however.

McNeese, coming off a 6-5 season, could see a huge leap in national interest with the addition of a player (and persona) like Mathieu. Also, this wouldn't be the first time McNeese has added a former disgraced LSU Tiger. The Cowboys signed Cecil Collins, a one-time standout running back at LSU and watched him help build buzz around their program as he was drafted with the first pick of the fifth round of the 1999 NFL draft by Jimmy Johnson and the Miami Dolphins.

Of course, Mathieu would be the big winner if Jasper's report is true as the news would likely mean that the 2011 Bednarik Award winner would be able to play this season. That has very much been in question since LSU head coach Les Miles' press conference announcing that Mathieu was no longer a member of his team.

Except under very rare circumstances, NCAA rules prevent FBS undergraduate players from transferring to other FBS schools and playing without sitting out a season. Players suspended from FBS programs, however, are often allowed to transfer and play immediately at lower-level schools, as was the case a year ago when former Florida Gators' star cornerback Janoris Jenkins transferred to North Alabama after being dismissed by new head coach Will Muschamp.

Regardless of whether Mathieu plays for McNeese or any other college football team in 2012, he will technically be eligible for early entry into the 2013 NFL draft as he will be three years removed from his high school graduating class.

The 2011 Heisman finalist is sure to be a hotly debated prospect for NFL teams. Not only are his recent character concerns an significant issue but there are plenty of scouts who question how well the 5-09, 176 pound defensive back would handle the jump to the NFL. Though he certainly proved himself to be a consistent playmaker for the Tigers over his short career in Baton Rouge, Mathieu's lack of size made him a target for opponents, on occasion.

NFLDraftScout.com rated Mathieu as the No. 4 cornerback and No. 39 overall prospect in the 2013 draft prior to Friday's news. The lofty ranking is warranted based on the Honey Badger's terrific 2011 season. Should he prove unable to follow-up his Heisman-finalist campaign effectively, however, his stock could tumble.